Tribune News Network
Doha
The General Directorate of Traffic, represented by the Traffic Awareness Department and in cooperation with the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior, organised an educative seminar on the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians, in Doha on Sunday.
The seminar was aimed at educating the pedestrians on safe use of streets and roads, under the provisions of the Articles of the Traffic Law pertaining to the pedestrians, and as a prior step to start recording violations against those who do not abide by the rules beginning first of August.
In case the pedestrians are walking in the middle of the carriageway, or not using pavements (sidewalk) if they are available or not using the far edge of carriageway opposite to the direction of driving in the absence of pavements, there is a fine of QR100.
If the pedestrians are not taking required precautions or not using designated crossing areas to cross the road, there is a fine of QR200.
There will be a fine of QR500 in case the pedestrians doesn’t follow traffic signals while crossing the road at the intersection and while traffic police allow vehicles to move or break through military parades and processions.
Col Nasser Darman Al Hajeri, Assistant Director General of Traffic, and Lt. Col. Jaber Mohammed Odeiba, Assistant Director of Traffic Awareness Department attended the seminar.
Officers of the General Directorate of Traffic, media professionals and a number of representatives of different communities and companies were also present.
Lt. Col. Jaber Mohammed Odeiba said that the Ministry of the Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Traffic, is keen to organise such awareness-raising seminars on ways and means of safety on roads. It stems from the patronage of Qatar and its concern for the safety of all those living on this land including citizens and residents.
“Given the same, this symposium is held to clarify the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians, who represent a large proportion of road users that may exceed the number of drivers”, Lt. Col. Odebia said.
He pointed out that the purpose of this awareness seminar is to create a pedestrian traffic culture. The pedestrian should use crosswalks or footbridges to cross the road while motorists are obliged to respect rights of the pedestrians to cross safely even in the absence of a traffic signal and in the internal roads.
“The General Directorate of Traffic, in partnership with the Public Relations Department, will raise public awareness on the responsibilities of the pedestrians and their rights under the Traffic Law. This is the main objective of the Ministry of the Interior, before moving early next month to register violations against their ID numbers in case of a violation”, Lt. Col. Jaber stressed.
First Lt. Abdul Rahman Al-Aawi, Officer at Traffic Studies and Research Department said that despite the decline in pedestrian accidents in 2018, there are a number of recommendations that must be taken into account to achieve our objective of reducing pedestrian accidents.
“These include need for more pedestrian crossings, the construction of Traffic barriers and guardrails in the median of the main streets and highways, to prevent pedestrians from crossing from undesignated areas, the planning of footpaths, the placing of light signals on intersections, as well as ground reflectors. Increasing the width of sidewalks in roads crowded with pedestrians, putting iron barriers in places other than those designated for pedestrian crossing are also recommended”Lt. Al-Aawi said.
He also pointed out the importance of increasing cooperation among the stakholders in order to spread traffic awareness and place signboards in crossing areas to remind the pedestrians on the violation of the wrong crossing.
Capt. Abdul Wahid Al-Anzi, officer of Traffic awareness section explained the details of pedestrian awareness drive being carried out by General Directorate of Traffic and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with expatriate communities, companies and media.
He added that this safety drive aimed at educating pedestrians especially Asian communities will carried out using various languages including Arabic, English, Urdu, Hindi, Nepalese and Malayalam. Local media, social media, field awareness activities and seminars will be part of the campaign.
Lieutenant Zaid Ibrahim Al Marri, from the technical office of the General Directorate of Traffic, talked about the legal aspect and the violations related to pedestrians, pointing out that there are three types of penalties.
Lt. Majid Ali Al-Khulaifi, from the Traffic Patrols and Investigation Department at the General Directorate of Traffic, spoke about the duties the traffic patrols towards pedestrians and the correct rules that pedestrians must follow when crossing the road. He said that the patrols are responsible for controlling the road. There are a set of controls in place at the crossing, including using crosswalks, pedestrian bridges or traffic signals at intersections.
“Not considering the speed and distance of the oncoming vehicle poses grave risk for the safety of the pedestrian as like crossing from undesignated areas”, highlighted Lt. Al-Khulaifi. He also pointed out metal guardrails placed in the median of roads are meant to protect and save the life of the pedestrians.
